Attorney-Regional

State of Louisiana • Clinton, LA

14h • Onsite

About The Position

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is hiring a senior legal counsel to serve one of its nine regions, with a focus on the 24-hour state psychiatric hospitals, group homes, and forensic supervised transitional residential aftercare facilities on the Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System (ELMHS) campus in Jackson, Louisiana, in Region 2. The position performs highly professional and administrative duties, providing technical legal direction, advice, assistance, consultation, and representation. The attorney supports LDH regional activities and facilities, helping protect the agency, support essential services, and improve outcomes for Louisiana residents.

The role provides legal support to programs including the Office of Public Health, Office of Behavioral Health, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, and Adult Protective Services. It also provides legal counsel to ELMHS and the Office of State Health Care Facilities on complex matters, including judicial commitments, court proceedings, facility investigations, litigation, contracts, and compliance. The position is located in the Office of the Secretary, Legal, in East Feliciana Parish. The appointment may be probationary, promotional, or a job appointment that may last up to 48 months. The position is eligible for a Special Entrance Rate of $35.22 per hour, or $2,817.60 bi-weekly.

Requirements

• Possess a current Louisiana license to practice law.
• Have four years of experience as a practicing attorney.
• Have broad and intensive legal experience in all phases of the legal process regarding health law.

Responsibilities

• Provide highly technical legal advice, assistance, and consultation to the Executive Counsel, General Counsel, and Deputy General Counsels on high-profile and complex legal matters.
• Provide legal advice, counsel, consultation, and representation to ELMHS and the Office of State Health Care Facilities on complex legal matters.
• Advise and represent state facilities in matters involving judicial commitments, court proceedings, and related legal requirements.
• Conduct and support facility investigations and provide legal guidance on disciplinary matters and civil service appeals.
• Review, interpret, and advise on facility policies, procedures, and practices to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Provide legal counsel on litigation involving state facilities, including matters related to the Community Forensic Services Program.
• Review, negotiate, and advise on contracts, cooperative endeavor agreements (CEAs), and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) involving state facilities.
• Conduct court hearings in multiple parishes and provide timely, well-reasoned legal guidance to protect the Department’s interests, minimize liability, and support efficient operations.
• Provide legal support for regional activities involving the Office of Public Health, Office of Behavioral Health, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, Adult Protective Services, and LDH facilities, including contracted facilities on the ELMHS campus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed